Poodles are notorious for learning tricks quickly and will love to take part in a wide range of canine hobbies. Keep them entertained with exercise, activities, games, and puzzles and you will have a very happy Poodle. Their elegant shape covered in a beautiful curly or corded coat gives them their distinct and famous look. It is this widely adored appearance, plus their intelligence, has earned this breed the status of the official dog of France. The Poodle is thought to have originated from Germany as a breed of water retriever. However, some argue that it is a descendant of the French Barbet dog. What we do know is that this is an old breed, with a history stretching back to the 15th century at least.
Disposition
Poodles are famous for being one of the most intelligent breeds, making them incredibly responsive and trainable. They’re originally hunting dogs, but at this point are bred for companionship and family purposes. Meaning, they are very sweet, lively and cheerful puppies who like to be with people. If they are socialized properly, a Poodle will both charm your friends and also make a wonderful watchdog. It is important to give them the proper amount of exercise they need because, without it, they can become stressed and timid. The Poodle is great with children, making them an excellent family dog.
Poodles are active, intelligent and proud dogs. They love to spend time with their family and are eager to play and please. Forget any stereotypes of a Poodle being a “prissy” dog because Poodles are nothing short of athletes. They are remarkably agile and smart, which makes them wonderful to train. They enjoy learning and puzzles, so keep your Poodle stimulated to avoid them being bored or anxious. This breed is very people-oriented, which makes them both loyal and kind. They will respond to training routines that are fun and positive, just keep it consistent.
Exercise
Poodle puppies of any size are very active and require a good amount of exercise every day to suit their high energy level. They will thrive when they are kept busy and get to act on those inherent impulses such as retrieving, hunting, swimming, and learning. Poodles love to go for walks and jogs.
Grooming
There are many ways to maintain a Poodle puppy’s coat, but unless you plan to keep their fur to a short trim, it will require daily brushing to prevent from easily matting. A full-coated Poodle needs to be brushed completely down to the skin, otherwise, the hair beneath will mat and need to be shaved down to “start over.”
For this reason, many Poodle owners opt-in for a shorter trim. Some even learn to do it themselves with clippers, while others take their dog to a professional dog groomer about every six weeks to have their hair and nails trimmed. The breed’s relatively non-shedding coat makes it a wonderful choice for people with allergies, but remember to keep them clean, as all that fluff can pick up other allergens when they play outside.
Training
As with most dogs, the Poodle will do best when they receive early socialization and leadership. This opportunity to learn manners will help that they grow up into a confident, happy adult dog. There’s a reason that the Poodle is such a popular dog. This is largely due to how cute they are as well as how trainable they are. The best approach to training is to make it both fun for you and the dog. They will respond best to positive reinforcement as they can be a bit sensitive. Despite their quiet nature, Poodles can be fans of their own voices. They tend to alert you to visitors, which is a trait you may appreciate. If you are not a fan of barking, make sure to not react to the barks. You may also want to try clicker training if the barking persists as an issue.
Clubs, Registries & Associations
(Based on breed recognition. See store for details on a particular puppy.)
- American Canine Association, Inc.
- The American Canine Registry
- American Kennel Club
- American Pet Registry, Inc.
- Continental Kennel Club
- Dog Registry of America, Inc.
- North American Purebred Registry, Inc.
- National Kennel Club
- United Kennel Club
Additional Information
Group: Hunting
Average Weight: 6-9 lbs.
Personality Traits: Very intelligent, lively, cheerful
Country of Origin: Germany
Coat: Long, curly
Check out the Toy Poodle puppies for sale we currently have in our stores. If there are none here, please contact us and we’ll be in touch.
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This article has been reviewed by Animal Kingdom’s expert team to ensure accuracy and reliable pet care guidance.
